25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Amos 8:4-7: God condemns those who cheat and exploit the poor, vowing to remember their wrongdoings.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 113: Praise the Lord, who is above all and helps the needy, lifting them from low places to high positions.
• Second Reading – 1 Timothy 2:1-8: Pray for everyone, including leaders, so we may live peacefully. God wants everyone saved. Christ is our mediator. I was appointed to teach this truth. Pray with pure hearts.
• Gospel – Luke 16:1-13: Jesus tells a story about a manager who, after being fired, shrewdly reduces debts to secure future favors. He teaches that one cannot serve both God and money.

Lectionary Reference 135

Upcoming dates: September 21, 2025, September 24, 2028, September 21, 2031

The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C calls us to reflect on our use of worldly resources and our responsibilities to others. The readings challenge us to live with honesty, justice, and faithfulness to God above all else.

• Justice for the poor: The first reading reminds us that God cares about the poor and condemns cheating and exploitation. We are called to treat others with fairness and care for those in need.
• Honesty in daily life: The Gospel warns against dishonesty and urges us to act with integrity. God sees how we handle small things, and our choices reveal our loyalty to Him.
• Prioritizing God over wealth: Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money. We must decide where our true allegiance lies and choose what leads to eternal life.
• Prayer for all people: The second reading encourages us to pray for everyone, including leaders and those in authority. This reminds us that peace and order come from God’s guidance and our prayers.
• Responsible use of resources: The Gospel challenges us to use our talents and possessions wisely for God’s kingdom. Earthly goods are tools for doing good and helping others.
• Faithful service to God: Jesus calls us to be faithful in our responsibilities. By serving God with sincerity, we show our love and trust in Him.

The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C helps us reflect on our values and choices. It challenges us to live with faith, integrity, and care for others in all that we do.

The Savvy Steward – A Lesson Plan on Wealth

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C teaches about the need to keep wealth in its proper place. The steward in Jesus’ parable learns that focusing on money and material goods can lead to trouble. When he shifts his focus to relationships, he begins to act with more wisdom. Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money.

Wealth is not bad, but it should never become our main goal. Instead, we are called to put God first and use what we have to help others and build His kingdom.

Show Me the Money Game

The Show Me the Money game can help illustrate the Gospel message for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. In the parable of the dishonest steward, Jesus teaches about the proper use of wealth and the importance of being shrewd with what we have.

This game shows how people make choices with money, mirroring how we decide to use the resources God gives us. It reminds us that wealth should not become our focus or goal. Instead, we are called to manage what we have wisely and generously, using it to serve God and help others.

Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer

Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer connects beautifully to the second reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, which calls us to pray for everyone, including leaders and those in authority. The prayer reminds us to prioritize others—family, teachers, leaders, the weak—before focusing on ourselves.

This reflects the reading’s encouragement to seek peace and wisdom through prayer, trusting that God hears and guides us. By using this simple method, we align with the call to pray for all people, recognizing that our prayers support both the needs of others and our own journey with God.

Don’t Demonize—or Divinize—the Powerful

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, highlighting Catholic social teaching’s balance between respecting power and confronting its abuse. He explains that political and economic authority, when rightly used, reflects God’s order and helps maintain peace. Drawing from Amos, he warns against corruption and neglect of the poor, urging care for the most vulnerable.

Bishop Barron contrasts Catholic teaching with modern views that demonize power, emphasizing prayer for leaders and the need for just governance. This teaching challenges us to exercise power responsibly while standing against injustice.

Two Masters

Jeff Cavins reflects on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, focusing on the Gospel’s message about money and its hold on our lives. He explains that money itself is not evil, but the love of money can control and harm us.

Cavins encourages us to view money as a tool to serve God, not as something to worship or prioritize over relationships and faith. He reminds us to seek God first, trusting Him to provide for our needs. This reflection challenges us to evaluate our attachment to money and live as faithful stewards of God’s gifts.

Finding Security in Relationships

Fr. Richard Rohr reflects on the Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, focusing on Jesus’ warning that we cannot serve both God and mammon.

Fr. Rohr explains that Jesus uses dualistic language to emphasize the dangers of prioritizing wealth over relationships. He highlights that real security comes from love and community, not money or material success. Drawing from his experiences in poorer countries, Fr. Rohr observes that relationships often thrive where survival depends on mutual care. He encourages us to choose love and connection over wealth, as these are the lasting treasures Jesus calls us to seek.

Prudent Stewards

Scott Hahn reflects on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, focusing on the Gospel’s lesson about stewardship. He explains that the dishonest steward, though selfish, recognizes his need to act wisely with what belongs to his master.

Hahn reminds us that everything we have is entrusted to us by God, and we are called to use it to serve others and show mercy. He emphasizes that we cannot serve both God and money, urging us to choose God by helping the poor and lifting up the lowly. This leads to eternal life in the Father’s house.

Learning Detachment from Your Stuff

Freedom Through Detachment

Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, focusing on the need for detachment from material possessions. He explains that the things we own can sometimes control us, giving a false sense of security. True stewardship involves asking God how to use what we have to serve Him and others, rather than holding on to possessions “just in case.”

Fr. Mike encourages us to seek freedom from attachment, to declutter our lives, and to use our resources for good. This freedom allows us to bless others and glorify God.

The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C challenges us to examine our priorities and how we live as followers of Jesus. Through the readings, we are reminded of God’s concern for the poor, the importance of prayer for peace and justice, and the call to use our resources wisely. These lessons guide us in living faithfully and generously in a world that often prioritizes wealth and power over compassion and integrity.

God Cares for the Poor

The first reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us of God’s deep concern for the poor and His condemnation of dishonesty and greed. It highlights how some people exploit others for personal gain, showing disregard for justice and fairness. God sees these actions and warns of consequences for those who harm the vulnerable.

This reading challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions. Do we treat others fairly? Are we attentive to the needs of the poor and those who cannot defend themselves? God calls us to a higher standard, one rooted in justice and love.

Caring for the poor is not just a good deed; it reflects God’s own care for humanity. As disciples, we are called to reflect His goodness by helping those in need. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger efforts to support the vulnerable, we can show the world that God’s justice and mercy are real.

Praying for Leaders and Peace

The second reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to pray for everyone, especially leaders and those in authority. This teaching reminds us that peace and order are gifts from God, and our prayers are part of how He works in the world. By praying for leaders, we ask God to guide their decisions for the good of all.

This is a powerful reminder that faith is not just personal but also communal. When we pray for leaders, we are not only seeking better governance but also showing our trust in God’s plan. This act of prayer unites us with others and reminds us of our role in fostering peace and justice.

It can be easy to criticize leaders, but prayer takes us deeper. It invites us to hope for wisdom and goodness in their actions. By lifting them up in prayer, we acknowledge God’s power and seek His guidance for our world.

Learning from the Shrewd Steward

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C tells the story of a steward who mismanages his master’s wealth and then acts shrewdly to secure his future. Though his motives are selfish, his actions show the value of generosity. Even a man driven by greed can see the importance of building relationships and gaining favor through kindness.

This parable challenges us to think about our own use of resources. Everything we have comes from God, and we are stewards of His blessings. Do we use what we have wisely? Do we share generously, or do we hold on tightly, thinking only of ourselves?

Jesus teaches that if even the greedy can recognize the benefits of generosity, His disciples should be even more willing to give. Our faith calls us to be kind and compassionate, not for personal gain, but because we know that God has given us everything. By sharing with others, we reflect God’s love and fulfill His call to care for those around us.

The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to align our lives more closely with God’s ways. By caring for the poor, praying for others, and being faithful stewards of what we have, we can live as children of light. Let us take these lessons to heart and strive to live each day with justice, generosity, and love for others.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be faithful stewards of Your blessings. Teach us to care for the poor, to pray for peace and justice, and to share what we have with those in need. May we always seek to serve You above all else and reflect Your love to the world. Amen.

• How can I show greater care for the poor in my daily life?
• Do I act fairly and honestly in my dealings with others?
• How often do I pray for leaders and those in authority?
• What changes can I make to use my resources more wisely?
• How attached am I to material possessions, and how can I let go of that attachment?
• In what ways can I be more generous with my time and talents?
• How do I balance my spiritual priorities with the demands of daily life?
• Do I see myself as a steward of God’s blessings, and what does that mean for how I live?
• How can I build stronger relationships through acts of kindness and generosity?
• What steps can I take to serve God more faithfully in the choices I make?

The music selections for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reflect themes of justice, stewardship, and trust in God. Some songs emphasize God’s care for the poor and the call to lift up the lowly. Others focus on serving God with faithfulness, recognizing that all we have comes from Him. These hymns inspire us to live generously, to pray for others, and to trust in God’s love and guidance. They encourage us to act with fairness and kindness, following the lessons of the readings to put God first in all we do.

• A Rightful Place by Steve Angrisano
• Anthem by Tom Conry
• Arise O Church, Arise by John Angotti
• Can We Love? by Tom Booth
• Beautiful Savior
• Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney
• Creator of the Stars of Night by Randall Debruyn & David Brinker
• Fragrance Prayer by Tom Booth
• From All that Dwell Below the Skies by Louis Bourgeois
• God of Day and God of Darkness by Marty Haugen
• God the Great I Am by Jesse Manibusan & Sarah Hart
• Living Hope by Phil Wickham
• Lord, You Give the Great Commission
• Our God by ChrisTomlin
• Praise the Lord Who Lifts Up the Poor by Francesca LaRosa
• Praise the Lord Who Lifts Up the Poor by William Ferris Chorale
• Take My Life and Let It Be by Discovery Singers
• The Cry of the Poor by Dan Foley
• The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Is Ended by Clement C. Scholefield & John Ellerton
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy by Fredrick William Faber
• We Are the Light of the World by Jean Anthony Greif
• With One Voice by Ricky Manalo

Music directors and musicians are invited to explore these selections and consider how they fit the themes of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Share your thoughts and suggest your favorite hymns or songs in the comments. Let’s work together to create a meaningful worship experience through music that reflects the message of this Sunday’s readings.

What date is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The next date is Sunday September 21, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The Mass readings for Sunday September 21, 2025 are:
First Reading – Amos 8:4-7: God’s Warning to the Oppressors
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 113: The Lord Helps the Needy
Second Reading – 1 Timothy 2:1-8: Pray for All People
Gospel – Luke 16:1-13: The Dishonest Steward

What does the first reading teach about treating others?

The first reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us that God values fairness and justice. We are called to avoid cheating and to treat others, especially the poor, with kindness and respect.

How does the first reading connect to my daily life?

The first reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us to act with fairness and kindness in all our dealings. This applies to how we treat others at work, in business, and in our communities.

Why should we pray for leaders?

The second reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C asks us to pray for all people, including leaders. This helps create peace and reminds us that God works through prayer to guide the world.

Why does the second reading mention peace and quiet lives?

The second reading for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C explains that peace and order come when we live godly and prayerful lives. This helps us focus on God’s will and care for others.

Why does the Gospel talk about a dishonest steward?

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C uses the story of a dishonest steward to teach about being wise with what God has given us. It challenges us to think about how we use our time, skills, and money to serve God and others.

What does it mean to serve God, not money?

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C explains that we cannot be loyal to both God and wealth. We must choose to put God first in our lives and use money as a tool for good, not as a master.

How can I be faithful in small things?

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C teaches that being honest and reliable in small tasks shows that we can be trusted with bigger responsibilities. Faithfulness in little things is a way to show our love and loyalty to God.

What does the Gospel teach about using money wisely?

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to use money in a way that helps others and builds God’s kingdom. Money should serve good purposes, not selfish desires.

What is the main message of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The main message is to live with honesty, justice, and loyalty to God. We are called to use our resources wisely and to care for others as we prepare for eternal life.

How can I apply the readings to my life?

The readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C call us to trust God, pray for others, and act justly in all things. We can use our time and talents to serve others and build a life centered on God.